Electrolytic water correction device



Patented May 10, 1949 ELECTROLYTIC WATER CORRECTION DEVICE Edgar M. Butler, New Orleans, La. Application July 15, 1947, Serial No. 751,127

Claims.

This invention relates to an electrolytic water correction device, and more particularly to a device especially adapted for use in Iboilers and the like where the water level is too low with respect to the pipes to permit installation below the water level of other forms of devices.

Many former water correction devices have depended upon being bolted or otherwise attached to the boiler tubes or to the walls of boilers and the like. This method is not effective where the Water level is normally just above the pipes oi the boiler, since it is not possible conveniently to place so as to be Wholly immersed.

In accordance with the principles of my invention, I provide an electrolyte water correction device comprising a core of metal having a coiled spring Wrapped therearound, and a pair of centrally apertured triangular support members threaded onto said spring to any desired position thereon. The triangular supports are adapted to rest between adjacent pipes of the boiler or the like and operate effectively even though the water level is only slightly above the pipes. Since the core is well surrounded by the spring, there is little danger of large pieces of the core falling in the boiler.

The spring may be of metal of different electromotive potential with respect to the core to set up a galvanic action when the device is immersed in boiler water. 1f zinc is selected as the negative metal and copper, silver, phospho-bronze, or silver-plated foundation metal as the positive metal, the result is to liberate zinc ions into the Water. The term "negative is applied to metals above hydrogen in the electromotive force series and the term positive" to those metals that are below hydrogen in the series.

The triangular support members are preferably made of a positive metal or alloy such as copper,

or brass and may be provided with inwardly extending perpendicular ns. These ns likewise are preferably of positive metal and have a twofold purpose. The first is to increase the surface area of positive metal which increase tends to promote the eciency of the device by causing more rapid ionization. Secondly, the fins insure that no matter to what extent the core disintegrates, the support members will not fall through the pipes.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide an electrolytic water correction device particularly adapted for use in boilers having a low water level.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide an electrolytic water correction device particularly adapted for ready, safe mounting on pipes of boilers having a low water level therein.

It is a still further-important object of this invention to provide an electrolytic water correction device of simple, inexpensive construction, permitting assembly and replacement of parts with great ease, and yet a device which is extremely efficient and insures against the possibility of any parts or large pieces falling from the pipes upon which it is mounted.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and on the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view partly broken away ofy a low level nre tube boiler in which is inserted the electrolytic water correction device embodying the principles of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the electrolytic water `correction device; and

Figure 3 is `a sectional view taken substantially on the line III- III of Fig. 2.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral I0 indicates generally a boiler of the re tube type having a low water level therein represented by the dotted line Il. It is to be noted that, referring to Fig. 1, the water level II is just `above the tubes so that it would be difficult if not impossible to operatively mount a device having any considerable height. Within the boiler are a plurality of horizontally spaced rows of fire tubes designated by the reference numeral I2. Adjacent tubes of any two groups generally lie in the same horizontal plane.

The electrolytic Water correction device I3 of my invention is particularly adapted to be mounted between adjacent top tubes of any two groups of pipes I2 desired, as shown in Fig. l. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the device comprises a core III of a negative metal of the electromotive force series surrounded by a helical coil I5 preferably formed of or surfaced with a positive metal of the electromotive force series. This coil I5 is illustrated as fitting tightly over the core and having opposite ends I6 and I'I adapted to be turned inwardly to extend transversely of the core ends and thus prevent the core from becoming disengaged.

.Adapted to be threaded onto the spring at' either end are a pair of triangular support members I8 and I9 illustrated as equilateral triangles. These members have central openings of a diameter somewhat greater than that of the core I4 but smaller than the outside diameter of the coil I5 and are provided with arcuate recesses 22 extending outwardly from such openings for receiving a portion of a turn of the coil therethrough as the members are threaded onto the coil. The turns of the coil are preferably so close together as t0 exert a restraining frictional pressure on.

the support members when threaded thereon,`

thus holding them in a proper orientation. The

support members are preferably of positive metal of the electromotive force series.

In order to enhance the electrolytic efficiency of the device ns 24. of: positivermetal...; f`the` electromotive force series are preferably provided extending inwardly from the apices of the support members and at right angles to the planes of'l the support members. Said 214-,1like fthesupport members I8 and I9, are formed of relativelythin plate stock and the ns are secured to the inner surfaces of said members, as by brazi-ng; to be, in effect, integral therewith:` In'additionto increasing the positive metal surface area, these fins further serve to insure that the device will not fall between the pipe rows even though the-core is Completely distintegrated; and the Coil is quite iiexilole. This resultsfrom the feetA that if the support niembersturosothat they ooiild; slipy between the-pipes, the -ns will, thea extend transverselylof;` thepipes and be supported thereby. Furthermore, the iins are-.so disposed about; the spring sheath i5 as, to inhibit bending or. sagging thereof.

It` will7 be ovidentfromI the above description that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and eflicient electrolytic water correction device Yparticularly adapted for use in boilers having low water levelsand that the. device permitsof ready assembly and replacement of the component parts thereof. Furthermore no. attachment is necessary to the boiler or pipes, and the device isreadf ily` and easily removablawithout danger ofacci dentalmovement out` of position,I i

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay loe-variedv thro ug.h ,a wide range without departing fromthe principles of thisinvention andit is, therefore, not the purpose to limit, the patent granted. hereon, other-l wisey than necessitated by. the scope of the ap-v pended claims.

I claim as my invention :V

1. Ari electrolytic water correctionv device especially adaptedv for positioning between adjav Centpipes of a low water levelboiler, comprising a cylindrical core of negative metal ofthe electromotive force series, `a helical coil oi positive metal of the electromotive force. Series fitted snugly around said core and having itsA ends'bent inwardly across the endsof said core vto secure the core therein,l a pair of triangular support members of positive metal ofthe electromotive force series positioned on saidI core having central openings larger than the core but smaller than the outside diameter of said coil, said support members having recesses extending outwardly from; said central openings of such depth as to permit threading of the supportmembers onto the ends of said coil, and opposed fin members of; positive metal of the electromotive force series projecting from said support members and longitudinally of the core for increasing the eciencyof the device, said support members being adapted to be-kpositionedv betweenl adjacent pipes ofa boiler with said ns insuring againstthe. device falling between the pipesy when. the corefis exV pended.

2. An electrolytic water correction device espe. cially adapted for positioningbetween; adjacent pipes of a low Water levelf boiler comprising a cylindrical coreofvv negative metal offtheelectr.

motive force series, a` helical coil:ofpositivernetal-v ofI the electromotive force serieswraDDedaround;

saidoore and` havinsitsends bentiinwandly. across saidl core ends; tosecurethe. colte therein', alpairof;,tria rrgular support; membersfoiv positivefmetal;

of the electromotive force series mounted on said core having central openings larger than the core but smaller than the outside diameter oi said coil, said support membershaving, recesses extending outwardly :fromv saidK central openings of a depth permitting threading of the support members onto the ends of said coil, said support members being adapted to be Wedgingly positioned between adjacent pipes of a boiler for ready mounting of said device in a low water level boiler.

3. An'electrolytic water correction device comprising a core of negative metal of the electromotive force series, a helical coil of positive metal of. the electromotive force series partially enclosing said core, a pair of ,triangular support memhers mountedon said corerin aplaner ly-in-gat right angles tothe core-axisrnaving;wedge shaped portions for mounting the device'betvveenadja, cent; pipes of a boilerorl thelike--andhaving openings for threading of said support membersionto said COILand'n--members ofepos-itive metalof the electromotive force series projecting from said support members and.v extending; axially of 4said. core for increasing the efciency of thedevice and insuring-the devicewi-ll not become dislodgedrrom. said pipes as thecore is expended.,

4f.. electrolytic water correction device-especially adapted for positioning3 betweeny adjacent pipes, of a low water level,y boiler comprisingl a cylindrical core of, negative metal, of the electromotive force series, a helicalcoilof positive metal ofthe electromotive force. seriessurrounding said Core, a pair of triangular support members-mounted; on said core having central openings larger, than the corebutsmaller than-athefoutside diam-r eter ofv said coil,` said.v support vmembershav-t ing recesses extending outwardly. from saidicer tral opening iorthreading ofI the support m em bers` onto thelends4 of said coil, andoppbscd. fin members projecting .from said.. support members longitudinally of the core, said' Support, members beingadapted to be Wedgingly positionedbetween adjacent pipesvof a boiler with. saidns insuring. against the device falling between the. pipes. when the. core is, expended.

5'. An electrolyticwater correction device espe: cially adapted for mountingon adjacentf pipes; ofL a.v low water level boiler .comprising a. cylindrical core of anegative elementof' the electrfomof-l tive force series, a helical coil ofi positive metal. of,v the electromotive force series surroundingsaid; core, and a support member mounted on said', core adjacent each end, thereof,A said members having central openings larger than the corebutsmaller than the outside diameter ofysaidj coil' and recesses, extending outwardly from said cent-- tral opening for threading of'the support, membersonto the ends of said coilsaid support mem-y bers-'having apair of convergent sides formingA a wedge portion which'mayserve to support sai'df device; between apair of adjacent. pipes, said: wedge portion extending lradially outward-` from.` said-core and lying in a plane at approximatelyI a right angle to the core axis.

EDGAR M., BUITLERLv REFERENCES@ CITEDl The following references, are of. record, infthe; le, ,ofx this patent:

Number;k N amie.rl Datei 376,579 Burcey Jan;,1i7; 1:8882 1-..12812:1Y 

